Alabama Governor Bentley apologises for assault against Indian

The Governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, has apologised for the “unfortunate” use of excessive force by police against an Indian man early this month that left him partially paralysed.

Mr. Bentley also ordered the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to launch a parallel investigation — the Federal Bureau of Investigation has already started its own probe — into the use of “excessive force” against Sureshbhai Patel on February 6.

“Please accept our sincere apology for this tragic incident to your government, Patel, and the citizens of India who reside and work in our state,” Mr. Bentley said in a letter written to the to India’s General Consul in Atlanta, Ajit Kumar.

“I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Mr. Patel,” he said.

“I sincerely hope that Mr. Patel continues to improve and that he will regain full use of his legs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Patel has been transferred from Huntsville hospital to a rehabilitation centre following improvement in his condition, his attorney Henry F Sherrod said.

An online fund raising campaign has collected USD 187,000 for Mr. Patel’s medical expenses. More than 4,300 people have contributed to it.